Hi, welcome back.
In this lesson, I will introduce the main communication protocols that are used in Iot systems.
First of all, let's talk about Iot protocols used for very short range wireless communications.
NFC near field communication is a protocol used for communications between devices at a very short distance,
maximum 10 centimeters.
NFC is primarily used for payment systems, but NFC can also be used in Iot as a primary communication
channel or for wake-up and pairing of other communication channels. Used in a wake-up and pairing mode
NFC can power down other radio channels when a user is not present.
This optimizes power consumption because the radio draws virtually no power when not in use.
This also reduces unwanted radio emissions and is more discrete than technologies such as Bluetooth
and Wi-Fi that are Always-On and may draw the attention of unauthorized or malevolent users.
RFID that stands for radio frequency identification, allows communication over a great distance than
NFC, even if always short, generally between one meter and 10 meters.
RFID is based on data storage, in particular passive electronic devices capable of answering proximity
calls from active devices both fixed and portable called RFID readers.
A typical use of RFID is for tagging objects for automated identification.
Let's now see some Iot protocols for short range wireless communications, popular protocols for short
range wireless communications for IoT are Bluetooth
Low Energy. BLE is used, for example, by fitness trackers, smartwatches, beacons as Apple iBeacon
or Google Eddystone, medical devices such as glucose meters, insulin pumps, etc..
Some famous devices that use ZigBee are, for example, Philips Hue, Samsung Smart Things,
Amazon Echo,
Honeywell Thermostats,
Yales smart locks.
Z-wave and Thread are also used for Iot devices as smart locks, thermostats or smoke detectors,
smart home security system, etc. In order to use Wi-Fi on Iot device printed circuit, you just need
a microchip which is easy and cheap to obtain.
However, in practice, you also need firmware to manage the devices wi-fi credentials,
since Wi-Fi is a very large attack vector for malicious actors.
Generally, Iot devices that use Wi-Fi are large stationary hubs, although they can be smaller devices
as well. To use Wi-Fi an IoT device needs to be close
to a Wi-Fi access point, for example, not located far afield.
Other protocols used for short range wireless communications of Iot devices are Li-Fi that stands
for Light Fidelity. Li-Fi is a light communication system, but is capable of transmitting data at a
high speed over the visible light, ultraviolet and infrared spectrums. And at last protocols that use
infrared light (IR) communications usually applied in remote control systems for televisions, VCRs,
DVD players, etc..
For medium range wireless communications, Iot devices can use Wi-Fi HaLow that allows over 8000 robust
connections to a single access point, and has a low power consumption. A primary market for HaLow
is the surveillance camera market.
Other applications include industrial and automotive communications, access control, for example
door locks in hotels or other larger installations and mobile phones.
In the latter case, it's not to replace standard Wi-Fi, but rather, over the long term, to provide a peer-to-peer
capability, (essentially a Walkie-Talkie function)
even when there is no cellular signal. For the medium range wireless communications
Iot devices can also use typical cellular network protocols such as GSM, LTE advanced and the 5G.
5G is important to the Internet of Things because of the need for a faster network with higher capacity
that can serve connectivity needs.
The 5G spectrum expands the frequencies on which digital cellular technology will transfer data.
5G can go up to a maximum data transfer rate of 20 gigabits per second.
Regarding long range wireless communications, an advantage of LoRaWAN protocol is that it provides
low power, long range connectivity between sensors and the gateway to over 10 kilometers.
Other popular long range wireless communication protocols used by Iot are 6LoWPAN, that is
an acronym of IPv6 over a Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks, Narrowband-IoT protocol, Sig
Fox and VSAT
that is a satellite communication system.
Concerning IoT protocols for wired communications, can be mentioned classic Ethernet, MoCa
that is a technology that uses coaxial cables, and Power-line communication that uses a normal
power line to transfer data.
Let's also see some known protocols used in the industrial world, in the Operational Technology area. Distributed
Network Protocol 3, (DNP3) is a set of communications protocols used between components in process
automation system.
Its main use is in utilities such as electric and water companies.
Usage in other industries is not common.
It was developed for communications between various types of data acquisition and control equipment.
It plays a crucial role in Scada systems, where it is used by Scada master stations, remote terminal
units, and Intelligent electronic devices.
Modbus is a data communications protocol originally published by Modicon in 1979 for use with
its programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
Modbus has become a de facto standard communication protocol and is now a commonly available means
of connecting industrial electronic devices.
Modbus is popular in industrial environments because it is openly published and royalty free.
Profibus (Process field bus) is a standard for fieldbus communication in automation technology and
was first promoted in 1989 by German Department of Education and Research and then used by Siemens.
LonWorks (Local Operating Network) is a networking platform specifically created to address
the needs of control applications.
The platform is built on a protocol created by Echelon Corporation for networking devices over media
such as twisted pairs, power lines, fiber optics and RF.
It is used for the automation of various functions within buildings such as lighting and HVAC.
Digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) is a trademark for network based products that control
lightning. BACnet is a communication protocol for building automation and control networks that leverage
the ANSI ISO 16484-5 standard protocol.
BACnet was designed to allow communication of building automation and control system for applications
such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning control, lighting control, access and fire detection
systems and their associated equipment.
KNX is an open standard for commercial and domestic building automation. KNX devices
can manage lighting, blinds and shutters.
Security system, energy management, audio, video, white goods, displays, remote control, etc..
The EnOcean technology is an energy harvesting wireless technology used primarily in building automation
system and is also applied to other applications in industry, transportation, logistics and smart homes.
Modules based on EnOcean technology
Combine micro energy converters with ultra low power electronics and enable wireless communications
between batteryless wireless sensors, switches, controllers and gateways.
OK, this lesson ends here.
Thank you for your kind attention bye.